shows photos of Japan between the 1860s and 1930s. In 1854, Japan opened its doors to the outside world for the first time in more than 200 years. It set in motion a truly astounding transformation. As fate would have it, photography had just been invented. As the old country vanished and a new one was born, daring photographers took photos. Discover what life was like with their rare and precious photographs of old Japan.

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« Woman in Kago • Kamo River »

Ebisubashi (Ebisu bridge) in Osaka, Japan. View towards North Osaka, taken from the current location of the Kanidoraku crab restaurant. The large buildings on the horizon are the Buddhist temples Kita Mido and Minami Mido.

The bridge was apparently named Ebisubashi because of its location on the road to Imamiya Ebisu Jinja, a very popular shrine for business people in Osaka.

Ebisu happened to be a derogatory term for foreigner in the mid 19th century. The country having just opened its doors to foreigners, the bridge’s name was changed to Eiseibashi in 1867 (Keio 3). This Political Correctness avant la lettre didn’t last long. Only three years later the original name was restored.¹

Walking straight down the street across from the bridge you will eventually reach Shinsaibashi.

For another view of Ebisubashi, taken from a location on the left side of this photograph, see Dotonbori Canal.

1877 (Meiji 10) Map of Osaka: 1. Nagahori; 2. Shinsaibashi; 3. Dotonbori; 4. Ebisubashi

Notes

¹ Nagasaki University Library, Database of Old Photographs of Japan. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.

Photographer: Kimbei Kusakabe
Publisher: Kimbei Kusakabe
Medium: Albumen Print
Image Number 70416-0003

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Posted by Kjeld Duits • 2007-11-22

« Woman in Kago • Kamo River »

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